Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3665, Elijah Drake, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Drake, Elijah Abigail
N. 3665
B.L.Wt. 26666-160-55.
CONTENTS

24.24 John  William  24.24 Feb  10
Elijah Drake
of Seneca in the State of New York who was a Private in the Co. A commanded by Captain Schoonover of the Regt. commanded by Col. Snow in the New York line for 9 months
24.24.24
Michigan
inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Clarmant Gainesville
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 34 $ 75 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th M 34 15 $ 90
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. C. H. H. Clerk Book E. Vol. 4. Page 96.
Transf to Michigan 5 th Augt 1835 from 4th March 1835 and notification sent to Pension at Portage, Michigan

Set to Claimant Jan. 9/55 29 D 48 - no 1046
13400 Act March 3/55 March 24/55
Abigail Drake widow Elijah Drake Pirate
Revolutionary Pensions Michigan W: 160 Ac, May, 1875 B. J. [unintelligible] B. [unintelligible]
Vol. D. 139. 2
R Claimant Royal Mich

Michigan Abigail Drake widow of Elijah Drake who served in the Revolution war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of August 1848 and sent to
Morgan L. Drake Pontiac Mich
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners vnd. July 29, 1848, Page 202 Vol.

State of Michigan
County of Oakland } ss On this Eleventh day of April One thousand Eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me the undersigned Abigail Drake a resident of Royal Oak in the County of Oakland aforesaid aged Eighty one years who being sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of Acts of Congress granting pensions to the widows of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War; That she is the widow of Elijah Drake late of Royal Oak aforesaid deceased; That he was a private in the Revolutionary War, and as such was a pensioner That his certificate for a pension was issued on the fifteenth day of November One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three, Number 24.242, Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E, Vol. 4, P. 96, and for several years next preceding his death he received his pension at Detroit, Michigan, from the Pension Agent Estrotes P. Hastings Esquire - She further declares that she was married to the said Elijah Drake at Chemung in the State of New York on the twenty sixth day of January One thousand seven hundred and Eighty Eight, from which time to the day of his death she and said Elijah lived together as husband and wife to the day of his death - That said Elijah Drake died at Royal Oak aforesaid on the Eighth day of April 1847, That she has no knowledge of any family record or other written evidence of said Marriage; Nor has she the knowledge that any person is now living by whom the consummation of the said Marriage can be proven She further says that she is now the widow of the said Elijah Drake & has never before made any application for a pension Sworn & subscribed to before me on this Eleventh of April 1853. & I certify that the above declaration was made before me out of court in consequence of the fact that the Applicant was by reason of bodily infirmary unable to appear in court
her Abigail X Drake mark
W. D. C. McLean Notary Public

State of Michigan County of Oakland } ss: Thomas J. Drake of Pontiac in Said County being Sworn deposes & says that he is fifty five years of age. That he was born on the 18th day of April One thousand eighteen hundred and ninety Eight. That he is a Son of Elijah & Abigail Drake the persons mentioned in the annexed declaration of the said Abigail and as such son has known them since his earliest recollecion. That the said Elijah Drake the father of this deponant died at Royal Oak in the County of Oakland aforesaid on the Eighth day of April A.D. 1827. untill which time from deponants earliest knowledge the said Elijah & Abigail lived together as husband & wife & reared a family of ten Children of whom three were older than this deponant. He further says that said Elijah for some years previous to his death lived at Royal Oak aforesaid, and was a pensioner as a private in the Revolutionary war and drew his pension at Detroit in said State of Michigan. That this deponant was at the funeral of the said Elijah Drake, That the said Abigail who made the annexed declaration is the identical Abigail Drake the widow of the said, deceased, Elijah Drake, therein named, That she is in the family believed to be about Eighty two years of age & remains the widow of said Elijah & unmarried, further he says not Sworn & subscribed to before me on
This 19th day of April 1853
Alfred Meadows Clerk
Thomas J. Drake

State of New York County of Genesee ss: On this fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before me William Mitchell, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the peace of the County of Genesee being Courts of Record, Elijah Drake a President of the Town of Gainesville in the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy two years on the fourth day of July last, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following Officers and served as herein stated - That he entered in the month of June 1778 under Captain Benjamin Schoonhoven in Col Jacob Stroud's Regiment of Pennsylvania State Troops at Lower Smithfield Township, Northampton County in the State of Pennsylvania, where he was born and where he then Resided - Lieutenant Col Burtons and Major John Nelson were Officers in the same Regiment - The company to which he was attached was mustered in the latter part of June according to his best recollection but he cannot state the precise day - The first duty performed was as guard for the frontier Settlements against the Indians - He was stationed at two different places at different times about nine miles distant from each other until August, when they marched up the Delaware about one hundred Miles to a place called Coshoston, there having been intelligence communicated to the Officers, that Brandt was there with a large party of Indians - They had fled or retreated to some other party of the County except some stragglers who were either killed or taken - They then marched down the River to the mouth of Bush Kill Creek, where it empties into the Delaware, where was a Stockade, and where his company was principally stationed - He remained at that place performing Guard Duty and occa- sionally scouting in that region, the remainder of his term of Six Months - He remembers that on Christmas Day he was marching through the Woods on duty with his company and that between that time and New Years day he was discharged having served his term of Six Months - he does not recollect receiving a

written discharge ~ That on the fifth of June 1779. He was again Called into the Service being drafted from the Militia and was placed under the command of the same Capt Schoonhoven and the Regiment was commanded by Col. Armstrong of Philadelphia - and was first Marched from Lower Smithfield towards the Susquehanna to a place called Pokano against the Indians who had murdered some families and retreated - He was unable to overtake them - He returned to our Station in Northampton County and were employed in Scouting through the season - At one time He went up Broadhead Creek at another time to Easton. He was in no considerable engagement with the Indians during this term of Service - at the expiration of his term of three months He was dismissed - at another time but the precise year he cannot recollect, but in the month of July He was called out with a part of the Company to which He belonged on occasion of an Alarm from Indian Aggressions. The party was under the command of Samuel Shoemaker who was an Ensign - He Marched to the Susquehanna River - and to Wilkesbarre, and after Scouting a short time in that Neighborhood returned - He was absent on this Service fifteen days - The amount of time that He served in the War of the Revolution was not less than Nine Months and fifteen days which He served as a Private Soldier - He resided at Lower Smithfield until the year 1788 when He removed to Tioga County, New York where He lived till the year 1797 when He removed to Cayuga County where He resided till 1820 when He removed to Genesee County where He has ever since resided. He has no documentary evidence of his Service nor does He recollect ever having had a Written discharge. He has no record of his age but has seen one kept by His father according to which He was born in Lower Smithfield July 4th 1761 and He believes the same is correct - It is forty five years since He removed from the place where He lived when His services were performed and He does not know that any person is now living by whom He can prove the performance of His service - He is acquainted with Rev

Noah Cooke and William Bristol Esquire of Gainesville who can testify to his character for truth, He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any the agency of any State Sworn and subscribed this 13 th day of July 1833 before me William Mitchell a judge as aforesaid
We Noah Cooke a clergyman residing in the Town of Gainesville in the County of Genesee and William Bristol residing in the said Town of Gainesville do certify that We are well acquainted with Elijah Drake who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration - that We believe him to be Seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that We concur in that opinion - We also believe him to be a man of truth and veracity - Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid before me William Mitchell a judge as aforesaid
And I the said judge do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant is a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And I further certify that it appears to me that Noah Cooke is a clergyman of

the town of Gainesville in regular standing and Ira F Pratt residing in the said Town of Gainesville is a credible person, And that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that it appears to me that the above named applicant cannot by reason of bodily infirmity attend the court.
William Mitchell
State of New York Genesee County ss
I Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said County certify, that William Mitchell Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits and proceedings purport to have been taken and made was at the date of taking the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavits and proceedings to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of Office this nineteenth day of July 1833.
Timothy Fitch Clerk By B. Pringle Deputy
28.171 Elijah Pratt Declaration
Admitted Private 9 months

13400

State of Michigan County of Oakland
On this the Nineteenth day of March 1858 Personally appeared
before me a Justice of the Peace within & for the said County & State aforesaid
Abigail Drake
aged Eighty five Years a resident of the Town of Royal in the County of Oakland State of Michigan who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the identical Abigail Drake widow of the late Elijah Drake who was a pri- vate in the Army in the war of the Revolution and inscribed upon the pension rolls as an United States pensioner at the rate of thirty dollars per annum And further States that she the said Abigail Drake as the widow of the said Elijah Drake is inscribed upon the pension rolls at the same rate of Thirty Dollars per annum
That she makes this declaration for the purpose of procuring such Bounty Lands as she may be entitled to under the act of Congress passed March 1855 And she further declares that she has not nor did her husband the said Elijah Drake receive any Bounty lands under this or any other act of Congress whatever
Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year above written
Attest
Abigail her Drake mark
Hemon Drake Justice of the Peace
Moses Johnson Clarissa Holland

State of Michigan } ss County of Oakland }
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace
Moses Johnson and
Residents of Royal Oak in the County of Oakland State of Michigan whom I certify to be reputable and entitled to Credit and who being duly sworn say they were present and saw Abigail (Drake) make her mark to the signature to the within declaration and they further swear that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be And that they the deponents do reside in the County above stated
Sworn and Subscribed before me this Nineteenth day of March 1855
Moses Johnson Clarissa Holland
Helen (Drake) Justice of the Peace

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Elijah Drake a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1778 6 mos. Pvt. Benjamin Schoonhauer Jacob Stroud Penn.   June 5. 1779 3 mos. " Benjamin Schoonhauer Armstrong   July - 15 days " Ensign Samuel Chasmaker ✓  
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lower Smithfield Twp. Northampton Co. Penn.
Date of application for pension, July 15 1853. H. & C. al.
Residence at date of application, Gainesville, Genesee Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, born July 4 1761 in Lower Smithfield Twp. Northamp. Co. Penn. Died Apr. 8. 1847 at Royal Oak Mich.
Remarks:
He mar. Jan'y 26. 1788, at Chemung, N.Y. Abigail — She was al- lowed pension on an application executed April 11. 1853, while a resident of Royal Oak, Oakland Co. Mich. aged 81 years. There were ten children. Thomas J., this 4th child born Apr. 18. 1798, is the only one whose name is stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Jany 14" 99. Mrs. A.B. Avery, Pontiac, Mich.
Jany 15" 99. L.C. Drake, Detroit, Mich.
Jany 15 1900
Mrs. A.B. Avery Pontiac Mich.
1919 Nov. 6 Hest. to Flora B. Wood
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3665
Abigail Drake Widow Elijah Drake Prot. Rev. War.
Act: July 29 1848
Index:—Vol. A , Page 195
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V 6507- NY.
Disbursed Set. to P. May Feb. 19 th 1840. same Mar 11. 1840.
Act 7. July 38
26.666
160 acres
No. 14. 917.
Abigail Drake widow of Elijah Nichols
M.S. Drake July 22. 1853
Rejected
Act July 7. 1838

Woyal Court M c Pherson D r
Free
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
13420

STATE OF MICHIGAN, OAKLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I Edward W. Peck Clerk of said County of Oakland, do hereby certify, that, Fluorn Drake Esquire, before whom the annexed instrument in writing was proved or acknowledged, was at the time of taking the same a
Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, duly Elected and sworn, and authorized by law to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writ- ing, and verily believe his signature subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledg- ment to be genuine ; and that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Circuit Court for said County, at Pontiac, this Twentieth day of March A. D. 1855.
Edward W. Peck CLERK.

N. 14977 1256
Abigail Drake widow of Elijah Mich
Re d order Act July 7. 1838
Ad d Act 29 July 1848. p 30 per annum. Comg 4 March 1848
Morgan S. Drake Pontiac Mich

State of Michigan } County of Oakland } ss. I Alfred Treadway Clerk of said County & ex officio Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph T. Copeland, That said Copeland was on the Eleventh day of April 1853. is now the Judge of the Circuit Court for said County duly Commissioned & sworn, to whose acts as such Judge full faith & Credit should be given, That I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Copeland & that I verily believe his signature to the Jurat of the foregoing & annexed declaration is his genuine signature, I further Certify that I am well acquainted & have been for years with Thomas J. Drake the person who made the annexed Affidavit, That said Drake is now & has been for over twenty years last past a Member of the bar of said County and as such a practising attorney & counsellor at law That he is a person of strict integrity and one to whose statements full simpliciter confidence should be given at all times, In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Circuit Court at Pontiac in said County on this 19 th of April 1853,
Alfred Treadway Clerk

Postage, Augt. 1. 1858.
I have yours of 22 d July upon the subject of the application of Abigail Drake widow of Elijah Drake for a pension. She had but little expectation of receiving a pension under the acts previous to July 29. 1848. Because she has no proof of the marriage having taken place before 1794 - as there is no person within her knowledge now living who was either present or who lived in the vicinity & knew the circumstance by Report and there is no family Record - In those days, in that wild wilderness such a thing as a family Record was almost unknown - It may be doubted whether there was in the settlement more than one bible - that was a small one unsuitable for a family Record. Though it is in existence - Of course no other proof than Cohabitation and the acknowledgment of the relation of Husband & wife for over half a century can be furnished - This for all purposes in legal tribunals is sufficient - And I supposed the proof would be sufficient to bring her within the act of July 29. '48. & subsequent acts
Should you wish a further certificate of the Judge as to Respectability of the Witness Thomas J. Drake you will please return me his certificate & I will have it enlarged. Or perhaps the department

would be fully satisfied by reference to a Enquiry of the Hon Secy of the Interior. Who is personally acquainted with the Witness as well as with myself - And also with the Judge & Clerk,
Respectfully
Yours
Morgan L. Drake
Hon L. P. Waldo
Court of Pensions

Pontiac Mich e
April 19. 1853.
On Sir
Enclosed are papers prepared in behalf of Mrs Abigail Drake, widow of Elijah Drake a Revolutionary Soldier, for a pension under the acts of Congress. The Evidence of the marriage is that of her son, and it must be inferred as in other cases from the facts stated, viz uninterrupted recognition of the marriage relation for upwards of half a century - Cumulative evidence to the same point could have been procured, if tho' necessary - It was tho' that one good substantial witness would be as satisfactory as several to the same facts All which are Respectfully Submitted
Yours &c
Morgan L. Drake
Commissioner of Pensions

Brief in the case of Margaret Drake, widow of Elijah (Catsland) County and State of Michigan act 29 July 1848.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase." )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner at $30 per annum. Proof of marriage - traditional & affidavit of son aged 55 yrs - certified to be highly respectable & credible
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
M. L. Drake Pantiac Mich
S. Cole Examining Clerk.

Application for a Transfer County of Oakland, Mich.
On this 24 th day of July Eighteen hundred and thirty five before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County of Oakland personally appeared Elijah Drake Who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company Commanded by Captain Benjamin Schoonover in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Jacob Stroud in the Service of the United States, That his name was placed on the pension Roll in the State of New York from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the Territory of Michigan where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Genesee County New York to Oakland County in the Territory of Michigan viz To obtain an easier mode of living and to be with his Children
Elijah Drake
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year aforesaid
J. O. Whittmore Justice of the Peace of Oakland County, M. T.

Territory of Michigan County of Oakland
I Horatio N. Howard Clerk of the County of Oakland aforesaid do hereby certify that G. O. Whittmore - before whom the within following affidavits were acknowledged sworn
swearing of the same then and there a Justice of the Peace of the Territory of Michigan for the County of Oakland duly Commissioned and sworn and authorized by Law to administer said oaths -  take said oaths or judgments that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and Verily believe that the signature "G. O. Whittmore" subscribed to each of said affidavits to be his proper hand writing. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County of Oakland this twentyfourth day of July A.D. 1835
Horatio N. Howard
Clerk

Territory of Michigan, County of Oakland, ss:
Elijah Drake Junior being duly sworn make oath and says that Elijah Drake who has taken and subscribed the oath written on the first page of this sheet is the same person who is described in said affidavit.
Elijah Drake Jr.
Sworn to & subscribed before me This 24th day of July A.D. 1835 and I also certify that Elijah Drake Junior is a person of veracity
G. A. Whittmore Justice of the Peace

NY Ret
NY August 29/83
Pension Office
Hon Davis Pass
Secretary of War Washington City D. B.

P. L. Edwards Esq
Comt of Pensions, Dear Sir - I send herewith the Declaration of Elijah Drake, an appli- cant for a Pension under the act of June 1832. I think you will perceive that he is within the provisions of the act of Congress. If a Certificate shall be granted, will you please forward it to me as soon as convenient at Waver. Genesee County. N. Y. Your obedt Servt James Crocker
Waver July 24. 1833

24272
Qu h
101 Lawrence Street Pontiac Mich Oct. 24, 1899
Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir,
From information received of Col Ainsworth. I make application to you concerning the pension of Elijah Drake of Royal Oak, Oakland Co. Mich. who received a pension for service rendered in the Revolutionary war .
If you have the original papers. you can probably tell me the amount of the pension the date of his service, and

where he was wounded. I think he is the same Elijah Drake that is recorded in the New York troops, although the pension was granted for service in the Penna troops. If there is any additional information pertaining to him, I would be very glad to know any item that you have recorded.
Very Sincerely Yours
Lillian D. Avery (Mrs L.B.)
Elijah Drake made application for a pension 1833 and died in 1848.

May 15-1920
Mrs H. B. Hovey Pawhake Mich

State Center Iowa
Oct 14 1919
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
May I Please have the Pension Record of Elijah Drake B 1760 died 1848 of Revolutionary war - in service 9 months Born Northampton Co Pa died Round Oak Michigan - his wife was Abigail Stoddard have you any record of his children besides Samuel Drake -
Mrs Flora Blaine Wood State Center Iowa

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
January 18th, 1899.
Sir:-
In response to a personal inquiry on the part of Hon. George Spalding, I have the honor to advise you that Elijah Drake made an application for pension on July 15, 1833, at which time he was 72 years of age and residing at Gainesville, N. Y., and his pension was allowed for nine months' actual service as a private in the Penna. troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted from Northampton County, Pa., and served under Capt. Schoonhoven and Col. Stroud. In 1835 the soldier moved to Oakland County, Michigan.
His widow, Abigail, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. L. C. Drake,
Detroit, Michigan.
57 Wilcox Street.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. W. 3665.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY.
January 14th, 1899.
Madam:-
In response to a personal inquiry on the part of Hon. S. W. Smith, I have the honor to advise you that Elijah Drake made an application for pension on July 15, 1838, at which time he was 72 years of age and residing at Gainesville, N. Y., (afterwards moved to Oakland County, Michigan), and his pension was allowed for nine months' actual service as a private in the Penna. troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted in Northampton County, Penna., and served under Capt. Schoonhoven and Col. Stroud.
His widow, Abigail, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. A. B. Avery,
101 Lawrence Street,
Pontiac, Michigan.